Classical concerts salute the sounds of the season
It's holiday music time for area classical organizations, with plenty of opportunities to attend concerts throughout the suburbs over the next two weeks.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra welcomes baritone Nathaniel Stampley, currently starring on Broadway in the Walt Disney production of "The Lion King," for its "Home for the Holidays" concerts Dec. 12 and 13 at the Hemmens Theatre.
The ESO brings its holiday program back to the Hemmens following three years at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The three "Home for the Holidays" concerts are part of the citywide "Elgin: Home for the Holidays" celebration, currently underway and running through Dec. 20.
Stampley last visited the ESO in 2007, taking part in the Aaron Copland "American Icon" Festival and in the orchestra's highly praised debut recording for Naxos International, in which he joined the St. Charles Singers as soloist for Copland's "Old American Songs." A native of Milwaukee, Stampley has performed regularly with arts groups throughout the area, including the Elgin Youth Symphony and Elgin Choral Union.
Tickets are $19, $28, $34, $46 and $62, with some categories subject to availability. Performances are 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. To purchase, call (847) 888-4000, visit elginsymphony.org or stop by the ESO box office at 20 DuPage Court, Elgin. For the citywide events schedule, go to elginhomefortheholidays.com.
Other holiday concerts of local interest:
St. Charles Singers
What, When, Where: "Candlelight Carols," 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St Charles; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec, 6 at St Michael Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton.
Concert details: Led by founder/artistic director Jeffrey Hunt, the 30-voice St. Charles Singers is one of the Midwest's finest professional chamber choirs. This weekend's concerts include traditional and contemporary music for the holidays, showcasing music from British composers John Tavener, Harold Darke, Patrick Hadley, Geoffrey Keating, William Byrd, John Rutter and Sir David Willcocks.
Tickets: General adult admission is $30, seniors 65 and over $20 and students $10. For information or to order, call (630) 513-5272; also on sale at stcharlessingers.com.
Bella Voce
What, When, Where: "A Midwinter Garland," 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 161 Lake St., Evanston; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Procopius Abbey, 5601 College Road, Lisle; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Concert details: Bella Voce, Chicago's premier a cappella choral ensemble, will present its annual holiday concert under the baton of artistic director Andrew Lewis. Now in its 27th season, the critically acclaimed vocal group is renowned for its performances of traditional and contemporary sacred and secular choral music.
Tickets: Premium seating $38, general admission $28 and students $15. Call (312) 479-1096 or visit bellavoce.org. Also available at the door.
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
What, When, Where: "Winter Dreams," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.
Concert details: The DSO will be joined by the Naperville Men's Glee Club for a program featuring the NMGC's traditional Advent Opening music, followed by the DSO playing Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, ("Winter Dreams") and the two groups joining of forces for Randol Alan Bass' "A Feast of Carols" and other arrangements of familiar holiday music. DSO music director Barbara Schubert and Naperville Men's Glee Club director Bonnie Klee Roberts will share the conducting duties.
Tickets: $28, $25 for seniors, $11 for students. On sale at the North Central College box office, by phone at (630) 637-SHOW or at tickets.noctrl.edu; also available at the door.
Chicago Master Singers
What, When, Where: "Music of Christmas," 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Divine Word Chapel, 2001 Waukegan Road in Techny/Northbrook, just north of Willow Road, at the intersection of Techny Road and Waukegan Road.
Concert details: Music director Alan Heatherington will conduct his Barrington-based organization in traditional holiday music, the concert opening with "Once in Royal David's City" and concluding with "O Come All Ye Faithful." The Chicago Master Singers chorus will be accompanied by the Ars Viva String Orchestra.
Tickets: $48, $38 and $28. Senior general admission is $33 and student general admission is $18.